Tracy Taylor/ Class 5 Self Improvement Training @ Straight-A-Guide

by Tracy Taylor

126. When you assess your environment, what opportunities for self-improvement can you create or seize?

Here in the Northern Correctional Facility there are very little educational opportunities, but they do have Rosetta Stone language courses and G.E.D. level classes. They have a decent library for reading and that?s about it.

My day consists of exercising twice each day, working at my prison job, writing letters, and the Straight-A-Guide workbook.

I avoid situations that may bring trouble my way and basically am waiting for a transfer back to the Concord N.H. Facility where I can immerse myself in the educational dept. I am hopeful to be back there by October or November of this year.

127. What is your interpretation on the value of self-imposed structure of free time?

Boredom is the enemy of productivity. I am convinced that structure of my free-time keeps me busy and moving forward. I avoid more conflicts in my daily activities because I am usually alone working on something productive instead of hanging around the cell block waiting for something to ?pop off.?

I also believe that a structured routine gives us a measure of control in an environment that dictates our every move. My routine calls for little interference from the prison system. Instead I navigate through the prison as if it isn?t obstructing my attempts of self discovery.

128. What relationship do your daily activities have to the vision you have for your life upon release?

Right now I am just trying to maintain until my transfer comes in, before I can really build my daily activities around my vision for my life after release. In the meantime I will stay committed to the goals I have outlined. I think that the discipline I show in doing what I can while I wait is part of the vision I have for myself.

129. Imagine that you were to replicate your activities or use of time yesterday every day or your sentence. If you did, what level of preparation would have to triumph over the obstacles that await you upon your return to society?

Yesterday I woke up at 6:00 pm made a coffee. I worked on the Straight-A-Guide workbook till breakfast at 7:30 am. After breakfast I reported to the yard for my prison job. I picked up trash for half an hour then ran 5 miles. Came in, showered, had lunch, wrote for an hour then went back to the yard for an hour, then went to the weight room for my afternoon workout which I do 3 days a week. When it is not my day for the weight room I run handball instead. After dinner I finish my writing. I usually make a phone call most nights, watch about an hour of TV and bed by 9:00pm. I try to stick to this structured routine making progress towards my set goals.

130. What activities within the prison environment can you pursue that will enhance your strengths?

I can spend approximately 5 hours a day out in the prison yard. I workout, I run, I play sports, or I just walk the track listening to the radio. All these activities enhance my strengths of physical fitness.

On days when I want to write I can spend the whole day in my cell. No-one bothers me. Being a solitary person has its benefits when I?m working in the privacy of my cell.

131. What activities within the prison environment would you categorize as a weakness?

Activities within the prison that I would categorize as a weakness would consist of hanging out in the cellblock, not working, and playing table games all day or lounging in a cell watching TV all day.

132. What activities within the prison environment would you perceive as offering opportunities?

We do have a superior program here called Family Connection Center, or FCC. It is a program to enrich our lives with our children and spouses. It is Federally Funded so it is a top of the line program. I recommend this program to anyone who has young children.

The educational department is very limited. They only offer G.E.D. level classes and some minor computer classes. Very basic stuff really, but considering most guys in prison only have a little education it is something to begin with.

133. What activities within the prison environment do you perceive as threatening your prospects for success upon release?

There is nothing within these walls that can threaten my prospects for success upon release. I am so far removed from anything that could drag me down. Only the choices I make everyday can influence my future. If anything does pop off while I am in the area I already have an exit strategy in place to minimize my exposure to any problems.

134. To what extent do the activities you pursue inside the prison environment contribute to your strengths and opportunities?

135. What steps do you deliberately take to minimize your exposure to weaknesses and threats?

136. Using the SWOT-assessment technique, how would you assess your decision-making process prior to imprisonment?

137. In what ways can the SWAT-assessment technique guide your decisions as you prepare for success upon release?

138. What types of activities in prison fall into quadrant one: low-risk/high-reward?

139. What types of activities in prison fall into quadrant two: high-risk/high-risk?

140. What types of activities in prison fall into quadrant three: low-risk/low-reward?

141. What types of activities in prison fall into quadrant four: high-risk/low-reward?

142. To what extent do your consider risk-reward analysis when assessing activities, interactions, or time allocation in prison?

143 What type of self-improvement programs would enhance an individual?s prospects for success upon release?

144. What thoughts have you given to the type of employment you want to pursue upon release?

145. Define the qualifications necessary for the type of job you want to pursue?

146. How do your self-improvement programs prepare you for the type of job you want to pursue?

147. What types of self-improvement programs can you pursue independently that will enhance your prospects as a candidate for employment upon release?

148. In what ways do academic credentials influence an individual?s candidacy for employment?

149. How do prospective employers gauge the value of academic credentials?

150. What types of self-improvement steps trump academic credentials?

Source: http://straight-a-guide.com/tracy-taylor-class-5-self-improvement-training/

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